Death rates from COVID-19 are much higher in patients with diabetes in Africa, where the number of diabetics is rising rapidly, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.
A analysis of WHO data from 13 African countries found an average mortality of 10.2% in diabetics with COVID-19 compared with 2.5% overall in patients with COVID-19.
“COVID-19 conveys a clear message: the fight against the diabetes epidemic in Africa is in many cases as important as the fight against the current pandemic,” said Matsidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. .
It is estimated that 70% of diabetics on the continent are unaware that they have the disease, according to the WHO.
The number of diabetics in Africa is expected to reach 55 million by 2045, from 24 million last year, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Evidence from Africa of an increased risk of diabetics ending up in COVID-19 reflects a global trend: a Reuters survey this year reported that a pandemic has revealed that the US has been losing its public health battle against diabetes for a decade.
To date, Africa has recorded more than 8.6 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 220,000 deaths, according to a Reuters report.
Less than 7% of the African population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared to about 40% of the corresponding global rate, the WHO said.
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